Better-Know-A-Niche Perfumery: Lily Lambert Perfume

Portland perfumer Lily Lambert has just released her new line of eight perfume oils called SPECTRUM. Each fragrance is named for a letter in the name: S,P,E,C,T,R,U, and M.

These perfume oils are, in a word, fabulous! They each have their own personality and I have really enjoyed "getting to know them." I am naturally inclined, when faced with an array of roller-ball perfume oils, to get creative and mix and match and blend to my heart's content. However, in this case, each blend really stands beautifully on its own. So whether or not you can resist the temptation of mixing them into your own unique blend or prefer to wear them in their pure form, here are my thoughts on the individual fragrances:

• S: Opium, amber, black berries and a hint of patchouli...

This is a deep, rich floral that lasts and lasts. It is spicy and warm. It is also slightly powdery, in a good way. One of my two favorites of this line...


• P: Waterlily, chocolate, mango and a touch of nutmeg...

This really does smell like chocolate! Like a dark, rich 72% cacao blend. Nice, but too gourmand for me...


• E: Coco, opium, musk and rain...

This is the heaviest and perhaps most complex scent in the line. It is very elegant and dries down to a gorgeous, evening scent. The rain element keeps it just light enough.


• C: Cucumber, lemon lace and berries...

This is the clearest in color of the set (it is essentially colorless), which is representative of its sheer quality. It's light and airy and fruity -- the cucumber top notes are a pleasant surprise!


• T: Coconut, sandalwood and powder...

This fragrance is very soft, sweet and pleasant. The dry-down has a nice little kick to it.


• R: Cherries and a veil of light musk...

The top-note of this delicate, pale-green fragrance truly evokes a bowl of freshly picked, still-warm-from-the-sun cherries! This fragrance seems the most youthful to me -- it would be a great pick for teens and the young-at-heart.


• U: Pink rose, caramel, and Egyptian sandalwood...

This light floral is very wearable and quite lovely. It is very clean.


• M: White flowers, warm spices, musk...

This is my other favorite fragrance in the line. It is a beautiful blend of just the right mix of sweetness and soft musk. This is the yin to S's yang.

Lily Lambert perfume oils can be purchased for $40 each at blush beauty bar in Portland, Oregon. Since the line is so new (and perhaps not yet listed on their website), it might be easiest to order the old-fashioned way, via telephone: USA 503-227-3390. Be sure to mention The Perfume Bee when you do!